Previous Owner-Builder for Mike & Carolyn in Smithville, MO at OwnerBuilderBook.com - Build Your Own Home

What were the impact fees for you to build?

$0

Did you get a construction loan without a contractor?

Built with own funds

How many tools do you own?

More than $8,000

Did you use a designer, architect, stock plan?

Designer

Do you have a step-up strategy?

No

How many trades did you do yourself?

1

How many bedrooms did you include in your owner-built house?

Two

Did you use a contracting consultant or an owner-builder program?

No

How much combined time did you spend planning?

500 - 600 hours

Did you get bids from generals?

Two

How many hours did you spend as a couple, counting planning and construction?

> 1,000 hrs.

Do you own a truck?

Yes

Was your project a new house or a remodel and addition?

New house

What time of year did you start?

March

Did you have contract problems?

One

Did you read The Owner-Builder Book before you built your house?

Yes

How much personal use do you make of the Internet?

1-5 hours

How many books about contracting or the trades did you read when you owner-built?

Two

Did you use any personal friends as subs?

None

What percentage of O-B's do you think get liened?

Less than one percent

How many times are you planning to do this?

One time total

How many children lived at home when you owner-built?

Two

How many finished levels in your most recent owner-built house?

One

What type of construction?

Conventional framing

House style?

Conventional

Do you want to say anything more about your house style or construction?

We started with our guesthouse, an 850-sq. ft. space above our detached three-car garage. Went with traditional wood framing because it is what we knew and popular in the area. We used the smaller project of the guesthouse as a starter or learning project before we started the larger main house. We learned a lot this way and when we made mistakes the impact was less (like learning to not buy sheet goods from the lumberyards... You can get them for less are the local hardware depot). We will live on site in the guesthouse while we build the main house. To make the space feel larger, we vaulted the entire ceiling and added a loft for the kids to play in. It cost more to build small, but we're glad we did it. The second living space adds value to our estate and is a great place for guests or elderly parents.

How many air conditioning units did you include in your owner-built house?

One compressor

Did you get liened by anybody?

No liens

Are you a coupon shopper?

90% - 100% of the time

What did you choose for wall insulation?

Icynene (or like) foam

Was yours a starter, step-up, custom, or dream home?

Dream home

How many bathrooms did you include in your owner-built house?

4-5

What was the age of your previous home?

35 - 40 yrs.

Are you a good shopper?

Super shopper

What was your planned schedule when you started out?

7-8 months

Did you hire anybody from out of town?

No

Did you use a computer?

Yes - some

Do you know your credit score?

Yes

Future Owner-Builder for Mike & Carolyn in Smithville, MO at OwnerBuilderBook.com - Build Your Own Home

Will you build in town or in the country?

Rural

Will you get comparison bids from general contractors?

Two

How many bedrooms are you planning on?

Five

Do you plan to use any personal friends as subs?

None

Will your project be a starter, step-up, custom, or dream home?

Starter

Will you incorporate active solar panels (PV) into your home?

No

How many hours do you project spending as a couple, counting planning and construction?

> 1,000 hrs.

How many books about contracting or the trades will you read when you owner-build?

Two

Will you be working when you owner-build?

Both working

How much personal use do you make of the Internet?

20-25 hours

How many tools do you own?

$4,000 - $5,000

Do you have experience using spreadsheets for budgeting or scheduling?

More than 500 times

How many children do you have?

Two

What is the average monthly utility cost in your current home?

$200 - $250

How many houses have you built, remodeled or added on to as an owner-builder?

One

How many finished levels in your future owner-built house?

Three

What type of construction are you planning?

Conventional

How many bathrooms are you planning on?

More than five

What will you choose for wall insulation?

Icynene (or like) foam

What is the average General Contractor estimate to build your plans?

$100 - $125

How much do you plan to save altogether vs. appraised value?

20% - 25%

How many covered vehicle spaces will you provide in your owner-built house?

Five

How much construction industry experience will you have before you owner-build?

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